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Won't start, sort of.....

  • Thread starter Thread starter snarl
  • Start date Start date
S

snarl

Guest
I've acquired a non running 85 or 86 GS550L and have been trying to get it started for about a week. This is my problem. When I push the start button nothing happens, no clicking, whirring, nothing. When I push the start button and jump the starter relay the starter spins the motor but still no starting, just a drained battery. Now I hooked up my battery charger with a START feature on it, turned the key, pushed the start button, jumped the relay, bike fired up and idled really fast. The interesting thing that has me confuse is as soon as I turned the START feature off on the charger the bike stopped running. Did this again just to be sure and as soon as the charger was turned of the bike died. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
 
The usual suspects: Start switch-- Coil connections ( all conn ).Check your charger, It may put out a higher voltage on " start " along with more current. That might be enough to overcome any resistance. BTW do you have to push the start button to jump the relay?
 
Im not sure you will have to push the start button to jump it on the relay. I had to start my 750 by jumping the relay, and I never had to hit the start button. if it works on the relay, take the push button off and clean the little copper contacts inside. this was my problem when I couldnt use the button. good luck!
 
Replace the inline fuse that is located beside your relay. That is the circuit that energizes the starter relay when you push the start button.

The other thing is to get a good/battery connected to the battery cables of your bike and then boost the battery (if need be) don't boost directly to the bike cables.
 
It's a brand new battery. Fuses in the box are all good. Is there another fuse other than in the fuse box? Cleaned the contacts but will do again.
 
Cleaned the contacts in the switch. Charged the battery. Pulled all the fuses and they looked good. Hit the button and nothing happens. What should I check next? Thank you for the advice so far I appreciate it.
 
how is the clutch switch? is their water in the battery? did you try jumping the starter solenoid? if so what happens?
 
snarl said:
When I push the start button and jump the starter relay the starter spins the motor but still no starting, just a drained battery.
Click to expand...
This would indicate to me that the battery is not the problem. Not having a wiring diagram for your bike, I can only tell you how this circuit works for a 79 GS1000.....Power for this circuit goes from the battery to the ignition switch. From here it goes through a fuse and then up to the engine stop switch. The engine stop switch also powers up the coils. If it is bad, you will have a no crank and a no start condition. This is the first place I would check. The power goes from the stop switch over to the start switch. The start switch then sends the power to the starter relay. If the bike has a side stand switch or a clutch switch, it would of course be wired between the start switch and the starter relay. If you have a wiring diagram (which you should) you can follow this circuit, and check it for power using an unpowered test light. An old headlight bulb works great for this in a pinch. A voltmeter only tells you if there is continuity in a circuit, an old headlamp bulb tells you if the circuit can handle current.....BadBillyB
 
Ground wiring is bad. Ground your starter solenoid/relay directly to the bsttery and it should work. Clean/reground all the other electrical connections as well while you're at it.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try them and report back. How would I ground the relay to the battery?
 
Found the problem. It was a bad cluth switch. Took it apart and the little plastic and copper piece was broken. Thank yoou everbody for the help I really appreciate it.
 
snarl said:
Found the problem. It was a bad cluth switch. Took it apart and the little plastic and copper piece was broken. Thank yoou everbody for the help I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

SO,YOU TAKE THE CLUTCH LEVER ASSEMBLY OFF,TAKE THE PLASTIC HOUSING OFF THAT HAS THE HORN BUTTON IN IT,SEE SOME SWITCH NEAR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND CLEAN IT,REPLACE IT,IS THAT HOW IT GOES.mY GS 1000 IS DOING THE SAME THING AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
 
My cluth switch is on the underside of the handlebars I didn't need to take any of the other stuff apart. The small plastic and copper contact was broken. Be carefull when taking it apart that piece is small and easily lost.
 
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